Phnom Penh (FN), Jun. 9 – Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh, on Wednesday, said the Kingdom is in the middle of geopolitical battle between superpowers, speaking at the ceremony to deposit first drop of Cambodia’s oil at the Win-Win Memorial.

“Cambodia adheres to neutrality policy and cooperate with every country [for mutual benefits],” stated the minister, adding that “We are looking for cooperation that benefit our motherland and our people.”

Rivalries between the superpowers pushed Cambodia into war, which lasted for more than three decades (1970-1998). A five-year war from 1970-1975 killed over one million Cambodians and inflicted the most severe destruction to the country’s socio-economic infrastructure. On 17 April 1975, the regime of Khmer Republic fell. People hoped to live in peace and start a new life. However, their hopes evaporated in a blink of an eye, as they fell into another disaster – the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime – a bloody ruling of which around 1.7 million Cambodians lost their lives from torture, hunger, and overwork within just 3 years 8 months, and 20 days.

Even though Cambodia has achieved the Paris Peace Agreement 1991 and prepared for the first election in 1993, the prolonged civil war still continued, that required the launching of the “Win-Win Policy” to all relevant parties to attain peace and unification in Cambodia.

Cambodia has just attained peace for two decades, counting from 29 December 1998 following "Win-Win Policy". The war ended without bloodshed and interferences; it was indeed the first national unity of the kingdom over the past 500 years. From the beginning of 1999, armed forces at different controlled areas, and people with different political aspects can live together in peace and stability with harmony under the shade of the Royal Throne and one highly revered King.
=FRESH NEWS